Deadliest Highways in Georgia
Georgia is a dangerous place to drive. In a recent year, the state’s roads and highways saw 1,797 fatalities, ranking thirteenth nationally in the number of traffic deaths per 100,000 citizens.
Unsafe driving practices, heavy traffic, and poor road conditions are major causes of vehicle crashes in Georgia. Frustration resulting from heavy traffic, delays, and stop-and-go driving exacerbates unsafe driving behavior, which includes:
- Speeding
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- DUI
- Reckless driving
- Tailgating
- Driving too fast for weather condition
It’s always a good idea to stay alert and drive defensively. You can help avoid becoming a statistic by following traffic rules, pulling off the road to rest if you feel tired, and never driving when you’re angry.
What Makes Georgia Highways Dangerous
We can all hope that recent and ongoing projects to improve interchanges, widen interstates, and replace bridges will provide some relief for our traffic woes. But slow commutes and dangerous roadways will continue to be a fact of life in Georgia for the foreseeable future.
Conditions that make Georgia highways unsafe include:
- Traffic congestion
- Inadequate road design
- Potholes
- Drop-offs
- Improper grading
- Poor maintenance
- Uneven road surfaces
- Missing or confusing signage
- Rainy, foggy, and snowy weather
- Faded and poorly painted lines
- Missing barriers and guardrails
Interstate 285
I-285 is one of the most heavily travelled roadways in the US. This 64-mile beltway loops around Atlanta, creating an area known as “the perimeter.” Originally built in 1962, I-285 wasn’t designed to handle the gridlock caused by over 2 million daily drivers. In 2013 Vox declared that I-285 was the most dangerous interstate in America in terms of accidents per mile. Blind turns and sharp turns make it difficult for cars and trucks to navigate this dreaded highway, which was the scene of 29 traffic fatalities in a single year
Interstate 75
I-75 is the only interstate that traverses the entire length of Georgia. It travels over 355 miles the in a north-south direction from Tennessee to Florida, veering slightly east. I-75 goes through Dalton, Atlanta, Macon, and Valdosta. Originally built in 1957 as part of the National Highway System, I-75 is one of Georgia’s officially registered freight corridors. On March 14, 2001, foggy weather near created conditions that led to a huge pileup on I-75 near the Tennessee border involving 125 cars and trucks. There were five deaths and 39 injuries.
Interstate 85
I-85 travels northeast-southwest through Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. A section of I-85 stretches from Montgomery, Alabama through Atlanta and down to Greenville SC. The I-85 corridor in Georgia includes Lavonia, Atlanta, Union City, Grantville, and La Grange. In a recent year, there were 22 traffic fatalities along I-85 between Adams Drive and GA-279.
Interstate 20
The I-20 runs 202 miles east to west from the Alabama state line to the Savannah River, which serves as the South Carolina state line. It crosses the Atlanta metropolitan area and travels through Bremen, Douglasville, Conyers, Covington, and Madison. The I-20 was the scene of 34 traffic deaths in a recent year. Daily traffic along the I-20 swells in Floyd County and Bartow County between Rome and Cartersville. Poor road surfaces and inadequate signage are among the dangerous road conditions along I-20.
Interstate 16
I-16 travels 166 miles in a northwest-southwest direction from Macon to Savannah. It serves as the main hurricane evacuation route for Savannah and other parts of the coastal region. Cities along the 1-16 corridor include Dublin, Soperton, and Metter. Poor signage, fading stripes, and inadequate surface conditions contribute to hazardous conditions along I-16, which saw 28 fatalities in a single year.
Were You Seriously Injured in a Georgia Traffic Accident?
At Butler Prather LLP, we help car accident victims get the money they need to recover after a serious accident. We’ve been achieving justice for injured victims for over 35 years. Our Savannah car accident attorneys have won nine verdicts that exceed $100 million, and we’ve also won over 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.
We believe in preparing every case for trial before a jury, as experience has shown this is the best way to hold the wrongdoer accountable and maximize your recovery.
Call us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule your complimentary consultation today.